Window or door covering assembly for a vehicle

Abstract

A combination of a window covering assembly and a window frame can be used in a vehicle. The window frame has an outer face including at least one groove having a depth direction in a direction substantially orthogonal to a pane of the window frame. The window covering assembly is provided with one or more snap elements for snap-fixing the window covering assembly to the at least one groove of the window frame.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A combination of a window covering assembly and a window frame of a vehicle,
 the window frame having an outer face including at least one groove having a depth direction in a direction substantially orthogonal to a pane of the window frame; 
 wherein the window covering assembly includes: 
 an assembly frame; 
 a movable beam, movable with respect to the assembly frame; 
 a screen and/or shade connected to the movable beam, so as to be moved between an open and a closed position; 
 wherein the assembly frame is provided with one or more snap elements for snap-fixing the window covering assembly to the at least one groove of the window frame. 
 
     
     
       2. The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the window frame includes first frame members of extruded profiles; wherein the at least one groove is an extruded groove in at least one of the first frame members. 
     
     
       3. The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more snap elements are lugs of the window covering assembly cooperating with the at least one groove of the window frame. 
     
     
       4. The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one groove includes an undercut portion, and wherein the one or more snap elements include a retainer projecting laterally from the snap element into the undercut portion. 
     
     
       5. The combination of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more snap elements include a support surface for abutting against the window frame, and wherein the retainer and the support surface are positioned and/or dimensioned for applying substantially oppositely directed forces onto the window frame. 
     
     
       6. The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the window frame includes one or more mounting brackets, wherein the mounting bracket is inserted into or secured in the at least one groove. 
     
     
       7. The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the window covering assembly frame includes a second groove, wherein the combination includes at least one separate snap element including at least one first lug for snapping connection to the first groove and at least one second lug for snapping connection to the second groove. 
     
     
       8. The combination of  claim 7 , wherein the separate snap element is chosen from a plurality of separate snap elements having different lengths. 
     
     
       9. The combination of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one second groove includes at least one undercut portion, and wherein the at least one second lug includes a retainer projecting laterally from the second lug into the undercut portion. 
     
     
       10. The combination of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one second lug includes a support surface for abutting against the assembly frame, and wherein the retainer and the support surface are positioned and/or dimensioned for applying substantially oppositely directed forces onto the assembly frame. 
     
     
       11. The combination of  claim 7 , wherein the window covering assembly frame includes second frame members; wherein the second frame member includes an area free of grooves adjacent the second groove, wherein the area free of grooves has a width that is larger than the second lug. 
     
     
       12. The combination of  claim 7 , wherein the separate snap element includes one first lug and two second lugs. 
     
     
       13. The combination of  claim 12 , wherein the two second lugs are laterally spaced apart. 
     
     
       14. The combination of  claim 7 , wherein the window frame and the assembly frame are free from direct contact. 
     
     
       15. The combination of  claim 7 , wherein the snap element is arranged for allowing the at least one first lug to deviate relative to the at least one second lug. 
     
     
       16. The combination of  claim 7 , wherein the window frame includes four first frame members of extruded profiles forming a substantially rectangular frame; wherein the window covering assembly frame includes four second frame members of extruded profiles forming a substantially rectangular frame; wherein the snap members mutually connect at least two first frame members with at least two second frame members. 
     
     
       17. The combination of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said one or more snap elements extend in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to a direction in which the screen and/or shade extends in its closed position. 
 
     
     
       18. The combination of  claim 17 , wherein the covering frame includes two opposed guides for guiding the at least one movable beam. 
     
     
       19. The combination of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more snap elements are lugs of the covering assembly arranged for cooperating with a groove of the window frame. 
     
     
       20. The combination of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more snap elements include a retainer projecting laterally from the snap element. 
     
     
       21. The combination of clam  17 , wherein the one or more snap elements include a support surface for abutting against the window frame. 
     
     
       22. The combination of  claim 20 , wherein the one or more snap elements include a support surface for abutting against the window frame, and wherein the retainer and the support surface are positioned and/or dimensioned for applying substantially oppositely directed forces onto the window frame. 
     
     
       23. The combination of  claim 17 , wherein the covering assembly frame includes a second groove, wherein the covering assembly includes at least one separate snap element including at least one second lug for snapping connection to the second groove at least one first lug for snapping connection to the groove of the window frame. 
     
     
       24. The combination of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one second groove includes at least one undercut portion, and wherein the at least one second lug includes a retainer projecting laterally from the second lug into the undercut portion. 
     
     
       25. The combination of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one second lug includes a support surface for abutting against the window frame, and wherein the retainer and the support surface are positioned and/or dimensioned for applying substantially oppositely directed forces onto the assembly frame. 
     
     
       26. The combination of  claim 23 , wherein the window covering assembly frame includes second frame members; wherein the second frame member includes an area free of grooves adjacent the second groove, wherein the area free of grooves has a width that is larger than the second lug. 
     
     
       27. The combination of  claim 23 , wherein the separate snap element includes one first lug and two second lugs. 
     
     
       28. The combination of  claim 27 , wherein the two second lugs are laterally spaced apart. 
     
     
       29. The combination of  claim 23 , wherein the window frame and the assembly frame are free from direct contact. 
     
     
       30. The combination of  claim 23 , wherein the covering assembly includes four second frame members of extruded profiles forming a substantially rectangular frame; wherein the snap members mutually connect at least two second frame members with the window frame. 
     
     
       31. The combination of  claim 17 , wherein the screen and/or shade is a pleated screen and/or shade, or a roll-up screen and/or shade. 
     
     
       32. A method for connecting a window covering assembly to a window frame of a vehicle, the method comprising:
 providing a window frame having an outer face, the outer face including at least one groove having a depth direction in a direction substantially orthogonal to a pane of the window frame; 
 providing a window covering assembly including: 
 an assembly frame; 
 a movable beam, movable with respect to the assembly frame; 
 a screen and/or shade connected to the movable beam, so as to be moved between an open and a closed position; 
 wherein the assembly frame is provided with one or more snap elements for snap-fixing the window covering assembly to the at least one groove of the window frame; 
 snap-fixing the window covering assembly to the window frame by pressing the one or more snap elements into the at least one groove in a direction substantially orthogonal to a pane of the window frame.